North Lawndale Is A Resilient Community Forging Its Own Future

Located on the city’s West Side, North Lawndale is where Dr. King campaigned to end slum housing in 1966. The housing was substandard in part because so much of it was owned by people who didn’t live in the neighborhood and thus were removed from the community’s interests. Due to redlining, residents could not get mortgages from mainstream lenders and had to buy through a predatory process known as contract buying. As major businesses began to pull out of the neighborhood, the once-booming population fell into steady decline.

Despite this history, North Lawndale continues to forge ahead. Today, the community’s robust network of nonprofits is working in collaboration to advance many of the priorities established by residents and longtime neighborhood institutions in a 2018 Quality-of-Life Plan. These priorities were shaped by those who live in the community and have a direct stake in its welfare. Across North Lawndale, projects are opening doors to new amenities, improved services, and innovative opportunities for residents to own part of their community’s assets. The Trust is proud to invest in the people, projects and organizations in communities like North Lawndale whose dedication and resilience are fostering a brighter future for all.

“Change takes time. I am excited about seeing seeds that were planted 20 years ago breaking through the soil and starting to sprout and produce. There are so many wonderful initiatives happening in North Lawndale today, and so many great people working together to improve the quality of life for every resident.”

Brenda M. Palms
President & CEO
North Lawndale Employment Network

What’s Happening in North Lawndale

Innovative Pathways to Economic Mobility

North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) Campus

For 25 years, NLEN has served as a North Lawndale anchor institution, creating and expanding job opportunities for people typically excluded from the workforce. And the organization’s influence has spread beyond the neighborhood. In fact, a visit to NLEN helped inspire Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, to launch his company’s Second Chance hiring initiative.

“If you paid your debt to society, you should be allowed to work.”

Jamie Dimon
Chairman &CEO
JPMorgan Chase

In 2021, NLEN opened the doors to its new state-of-the art campus, uniting its programs under one roof for the first time. The campus includes a range of community-serving and economic development-related uses: classrooms; industry-specific training rooms; computer labs; a larger convening space; and production and retail space for NLEN’s Sweet Beginnings LLC honey products social enterprise and café.

Supported by We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, a funder collaborative led by the Trust

Increased economic activity in the block around NLEN since the center opened in 2021 has fueled:

• More than 71% increase in consumer spending
• More than $2.58 million added to the local economy

The above figures were generated through an analysis of Mastercard data and do not reflect non-Mastercard purchases. Therefore, the actual increase in spending is likely much higher.

A New Economic Hub

Fillmore Center

A project of the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council and the Steans Family Foundation, the Fillmore Center is a 169,000-squarefoot industrial development that is set to be 100 percent community-owned and create 175+ living wage jobs through its anchor business, Fillmore Linen Services, a healthcare laundry service.

Supported by We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, a funder collaborative led by the Trust, and the Trust’s Pre-Development Fund

Community Dreams Realized

North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council

In addition to leading the creation of North Lawndale’s Quality-of-Life Plan, the council is currently building a 65,000-square-foot community facility at 3100-58 West Ogden Avenue that will include a full-service grocery store and children’s center.

Supported by the Trust’s Flexible Funding program

Shared Ownership

Starling Community Center

Led by Duo Development, this project is transforming an old laundromat at 1600 South Sawyer Avenue into a community center with indoor and outdoor seating, a coffee shop and a small library. Neighbors have the chance to co-invest and own a stake.

Supported by the Trust’s Pre-Development Fund

Reaching & Teaching the Youngest Learners

Gads Hill Center

An early childhood center that expands opportunities for North Lawndale children and families through education, access to resources, and community engagement.

Supported by the Trust’s Addressing Critical Needs and Building Collective Power portfolios

Supporting a Healthy, Connected Community

Ogden Commons

This 10-acre multiuse development combines a patient care center with important community amenities, including a bank and an eatery. Opened in 2022 and run by Sinai Chicago, the facility strives to provide North Lawndale community members with high-quality, comprehensive care that addresses not just health, but the social factors that contribute to it.

Supported by We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, a funder collaborative led by the Trust

Elevating Community Care

Saint Anthony’s Hospital

The hospital’s home visiting program meets patients where they are, ensuring neighbors with multiple chronic diseases receive the care they need.

Supported by the Trust’s Addressing Critical Needs portfolio

Inspiring & Motivating High Schoolers

Youth Guidance Helping

North Lawndale’s young people reach their full potential through proven programs such as Becoming a Man and Working on Womanhood.

Supported by the Trust’s Addressing Critical Needs portfolio

A Roof Over Neighbors’ Heads

IFF Homan Square Apartments

A project to rehabilitate 158 existing affordable housing units on the Homan Square Campus.

Supported by the Trust’s Pre-Development Fund